Rhode Island College - Ricoled Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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MAY QUEEN LILLIAN CONNELLY

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History of Rhode Island College of Education One hundred years ago this May the State ol' Rltode Island established Rhode Island Normal School for the training of teachers of the common schools. This insti- tution was the outgrowth ol' the teachers' iustittttes pro- tnoted by Henry Barnard. who early advocated the estab- lislnnent of a normal schoolg but it was not until May, 1854. that the State Legislature provided that A sum 1101 exceeding 253,000 shall annually be appropriated for the establishment and support ol a Normal School lor the training of teachers of the connnon schools. The first home ol' the Normal School was the building of' the Second Universalist Society fon Broad Street. Prov- idencej. and Dana P. Colburn, lortnerly of Bridgewater Normal School, was appointed principal. The new school lacked popular support. however, and in 1857 the State withdrew its appropriation. The Town of Bristol 'then provided ZICCOIIIlII0llll1l0lIS free ol' charge and the Normal School remained in that town until 1865. This location proved unsatisl'actory, however, because of the distance front the centers ol' population. The eflects ol' the Civil War, too. caused a gradual decline in enrollment. and the School was finally lorced to close its doors in 1865. During the interim period from 1865 to 1871 the State ol' Rhode Island continued to educate its teachers at state expense, thus maintaining continuity in the history of state-supported teacher education. Teachers were prepared at various private academies and schools for the six-year period preceding the rc-establishment ol the Normal School. In 1869 a vigorous campaign to reorganize the Normal School was undertaken by the Connnissioner ol' the Public Schools. Thomas W. Bicknell. and largely through his efforts the bill establishing Rhode Island Normal School was enacted into law in 1871. High Street Congregational Church housed the School for a few years ttntil it became apparent that larger quarters were necessary. Accordingly, in 1879 the old Providence High School fnow the State Department of Education building on Benefit Streety was purchased. 'l here the School remained until 1898 when the new State Normal building. designed especially as a teacher-education institution, opened its doors. On Sep- tember 7, 1898, speaking at the dedicatorv exercises, Wil- liam A. Harris, then United States Commissioner ol' Edu- cation. said: If the nation could speak through my voice today, I am sure it would utter its congratulations to the people of Rhode Island on the cotnpletion of this, the most finished piece of Normal School architecture in the land. Prior to the opening of the new building in 1898 three courses were in operation at the Normal School. The Elementary Course paralleled the high school program. since a high school education was not easilv attainable for all. The Regular Advanced Normal Training Cours-e was a two-year program ol' college grade. and the City Train- ing Course was a one-year course instituted by the citizens ol' Providence and Pawtucket. After the opening of the new Normal School. however. there were increased reouire- ments in the various courses. culminating in 1927 with the lengthening of the reouited course to four vears, The following chronology highlights some important dates in the history of the College: 1908-Required course lengthened to 2'f, vears. All stu- dents must now be high school graduates. 1909-Institution of Saturdav classes lor teachers. 1913-All candidates for admission required to take en- trance examinations. 1911-1-First summer session for teachers. 1920-Rhode Island College ol' liducation establislted on April 22, 1920, by Act ol' General Assembly. Four- year course for degree of Bachelor ol' Itlducation tnade optional. 1926-Required cottrse extended front 21, to 3 years. 1927-Required course extended from 3 to -l years. 1928-Opening ol' new building lor I-Ieury Barnard School. 1931-Graduation of first full class under 1'our-year re- quirement. 1939-Retirement ol' Dr, john L. Alger. Prof. Robert M. 1939 Ilrown ualned Acting President. In early winter Dr. 1.ucius .A. Whipple appointed President. Rhode Island College ol' lidncation placed under control ol' newly-created Board ol' Trustees ol' State Colleges. 19-10-Dr. Clara 15. Craig. Director ol' 'Training and Dean 1913 1951- 1952- In 21 of the College, retired. l Rhode Island College ol' Iiducation accredited bv American Association ol' Teachers Colleges. Dr. Lucius A. Illhipplc retired in November. Vice- President Frederick j. Donovan named Acting Pres- ident. lVilliam Clement Gaige appointed President. ddition to Ilarnard and Bicknell, there were many other outstanding personalities in the history of Rhode Island College of Iiducation. and no story ofthe lutndrcd years ol' the institutions life would be cotnplete without a mention ol' them. William E. Wilson, teacher from 188-1- 1H92, and principal from 1892-1898, was responsible lor the establishment of the first 011'-Campus Cooperating School flienelit and Halsey Strcetsj. The interior plans of the present building were the result ol' Mr. Wi1son's study. An authority on school law and administration, Dr. Charles Carroll was Professor ol' Iiducation at Rhode Is- land Normal School lor ntany years. Dr. John Lincoln Alger, Principal and President. lrom 1908 to 1939, was a strong advocate of high acadetnic standards. Dr. Clara E. Craig. responsible for the development of the training school along lines which attracted national and international attention. set and maintained high standards for prospective teachers. Dr. Craig was a teach- er at the Training School from 1893-1898 and was Super- visor and Director ol' Training from 1898-1940. It was she who said Children must always be allowed to organ- ile themselves in respect 'lo their environment. The lunc- tion of the educator is only to secure and organize stimuli which make proper call to child responses. Education sep- arat.ed -l'ro:n a condition ol' freedom is impossible. Free- dom. on the other hand. means order and discipline moti- vated by inherent social instincts rather than compulsion. During the dillicttlt years from I9-ll-1951, years which contained a second World War, Dr. Lucius A. Whipple was President ol' the College. He maintained a lively laith in the purpose ol' Rhode Island College of Education and in the ability of' the students. It was during Dr. Whipple's administration that the College first received national ac- creditation. lllilliain Clctnent Caige assumed the presidency in 1952. His vigorous leadership in the drive for a new college site and plant has resulted in the placing of' a bond issue on the ballot in the elections of' November, 195-1, providing lor the relocation ol' the College.